Everything you ever wanted to know about the Blackhawks Blues Mobile

Courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks.

January 24, 2013|By Mick Swasko, @mickswasko

As the countdown to the Hawks' return drove fans nuts with anticipation, the team was driving some hype of its own.

The Blackhawks Blues Mobile, which since the 2008-2009 season has been a part of the Blackhawks marketing arm, took to the streets last week with a large sandwich board, displaying the number of days until the first Hawks game of the shortened season. Adam Rogowin, director of public relations for the Blackhawks, said the countdown was a popular promotion on social media, with fans snapping photos and sending the #onegoal hashtag to the @NHLBlackhawks handle for a chance at prizes.

But there’s more to the short history of the metal mascot that frequents the Madhouse on Madison. Here are a few things you might not know:

The car itself is a 1974 Dodge Monaco, a replica of the police car used in the 1980 SNL spinoff movie "The Blues Brothers."

A Blues Brother actually drove it. On March 27, 2009, Dan Aykroyd (who played Elwood Blues) drove the car to the United Center for a game against the New Jersey Devils, where he dropped the ceremonial first puck.

The Hawks got the car from the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Ill., in 2008.

To restore the car to Blues Mobile authenticity, the team enlisted George Barris, “The King of Customizers.” Barris also is responsible for the Batmobile design from the TV series.

Further customization includes Hawks decals that mimic the exact placement of the decals used in "The Blues Brothers" movie.

The car has detachable, weatherproof speakers on the roof, which play “Chelsea Dagger” and old-school anthem “Here Come the Hawks.” There is also a large, replica speaker up top. The speakers can also broadcast the voice of the driver or passenger in the car through a direct microphone inside.

The car almost didn’t make it to the 2010 Stanley Cup Parade. It appeared briefly, but stalled as the motorcade was leaving the United Center parking lot.

It’s seen its share of other parades as well. It’s made appearances in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Chicago Festival of Lights Parade and the Thanksgiving Day Parade

The car takes 93 high-octane fuel.

The Blues Mobile has a custom Blackhawks vanity plate. Its number? “1.”